No bear spray, they've always run from me, just like women do. But I saw the biggest bear I've ever seen in PA over the weekend on the road along Babb Creek, he was bigger then a 100 lb. propane tank, and his belly was dragging on the ground.

Posted on: 2013/6/24 15:06

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The object of a resource is to use and reuse a resource, not to use it up, have we learned nothing in over 125 years of stocking?

The_Sasquatch wrote:What!? I don't like those odds. That's more black bear attacks than I would have thought. Dang it! I better arm up when I"m in the Smokey's this Fall. What's up w/ Canadian black bear attacks, also...bears breaking into houses and cabins to attack people? Dang.

People being careless. Always make some noise in the woods, and if things suddenly get quiet, make more noise. Whistle and if you can't, carry one.

No. Of the 15 or so bears I have seen in Pa, every single one of them has run away once it realized I was a human. If you're close enough to hit a bear with spray, you're prolly going to get mauled anyway. It's the bear that doesn't run, that might change your world. I just break small branches/twigs while walking to let a bear know something is around. Bears don't like company.

wildtrout2 wrote: No. Of the 15 or so bears I have seen in Pa, every single one of them has run away once it realized I was a human. If you're close enough to hit a bear with spray, you're prolly going to get mauled anyway. It's the bear that doesn't run, that might change your world. I just break small branches/twigs while walking to let a bear know something is around. Bears don't like company.

I've been dealing with bears at our cabin near Kettle Creek State Park since 1975. Please don't think for a minute that all bears run away, or even walk away. Only 2 bears I encountered this year ran away (out of 25+-). They become used to humans, now more-so than ever before. We don't feed them, but other camps on the mountain do. Discharge a firearm and they come back half an hour later following any scent of food they can smell. I now lay a line of ammonia around the porch and at the door to discourage them, especially since one particular bear tried to get into the door in April. I had to blockade the door with a picnic bench They are a pain in my azz.

And I've had several encounters along creeks where they just stand their ground. By the way, like other animals, they don't like eye contact.

Thanks for your concern, but I don't think that ALL bears run from humans. I was just saying that every one I've encountered ran from me. Like I said though, it's the ones that don't run that can be trouble. Almost all of the bears I have seen were in remote areas with very few, if any cabins/people around.

Being in an area where there are people feeding them, or leaving scraps around will embolden a bear without a doubt. In these cases you really need to be on your toes. I honestly think spraying a bear might even make him more pissed off!

I don't spray them directly with the ammonia. Yes I have thought of the reaction they might have if I sprayed them directly in the face. If they are close, I spray some ammonia into the air so they pick up the odor. That usually does the trick. The local Game Commission officer advised me to spray them directly with wasp spray (the kind that shoots a 20' stream) if they become too threatening. I actually feel sorry for them. Man made them into the nuisance they are today.

My wife and I are building a deck extension to our porch which will have handrail all around to act as a safe-guard. We're going to name it "The Bear Pen".

Posted on: 2013/6/25 20:27

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I love the smell of caddis in the morning. Smells like.........victory.

The situation is becoming unBEARable. Our cabin is located on the top of the mountain at the Leidy iron bridge on Kettle Creek. We can't even enjoy an outdoor meal on the porch without having someone on "bear watch".

Posted on: 2013/6/25 23:57

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I love the smell of caddis in the morning. Smells like.........victory.

Per an article in F&S, pepper spray or bear spray is your best option. It takes about 4-5 shots from a pistol to drop a bear and that's only if they're good shots. Bears apparently have a keen sense of smell, hence why a spray is the best potential defense. The article did a study of bear attacks over a 80 or 90 year period and had some interesting facts. Plus, black bears can climb trees. PM me if you want a PDF of the article.